Streuth, is it that time of year already? Sunday is Australia Day and if you don’t fancy a snowy barbie on your balcony, there’s plenty of fun to be had in Stockholm!
Australia Day commemorates the establishment of the first settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788. Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26 January date back to 1808, with the first official celebration of the formation of New South Wales held in 1818. It is now an official public holiday in every state and territory of Australia.
Great things happen for the nation around this time. Firstly, there are the Australian of the Year Awards on Australia Day Eve, whilst on the day itself, the Governor-General announce the Honours List for the Order of Australia, offering community recognition for outstanding achievement and service to the nation or humanity. There are citizenship ceremonies and addresses from the Prime Minister. But aside from all this solemnity, it’s also an excuse for a big party to celebrate everything Aussie! With community festivals, concerts and other fun events, Australia Day has become the biggest annual civic event in Australia, celebrated in large and small communities and cities around the nation.
So, want to join the party? There are two fantastic venues that you can go to to get your Australia Day fix!
Boomerang Bar/Bagpiper’s Inn
Stockholm’s only Aussie bar, Bagpipers Inn Stockholm and Boomerang Bar Stockholm will be throwing the biggest Australia Day party in the city! With ice cold beer, genuine australian food and, of course, TripleJ Hottest 100 playing all day long this is sure the hottest party this winter!
The doors will open at 2pm and it will be free entry all night long!
Where: Rörstrandsgatan 21, 113 40 Stockholm
When: Sunday 26th from 2pm
Contact: 08-311855
The Liffey
Come and celebrate Australia Day at The Liffey and support Aussie Rules Football in Stockholm.
The Stockholm Australian Rules Football Federation is hosting an Australia Day party at The Liffey. Starts 5pm Sunday 26th. All welcome!
Where: Stora Nygatan 42, 111 27 Stockholm
When: Sunday 26th from 5pm
Contact: 08-218025
DIY Aussie Day
If you can’t manage to get out to these events, Your Living City has 5 tips to host your own Australia Day celebration in your very own home:
- Don’t celebrate alone
Invite all the Aussies you know in Stockholm to celebrate together! Don’t have any Aussie friends? Host your own citizenship ceremony and declare your friends Aussie for the day
- Get the Aussie beer in!
This can’t be overstated and last time I checked there were 413 types of Australian alcohol in Systemet; you’ll surely find something you fancy.
- Drink Australian; eat Australian
Australia has fabulous food and now’s the time to taste it, albeit with ingredients from ICA or the Coop. Mia Donovan, our very own Aussie in residence has shared her best recipes – we recommend your 3 course meal to consist of cheesy vegemite twists for starters, meat pie for main and a glorious pav for dessert.
- Dress up in Aussie colours
Wave the flag, do some Aussie crafts with the kids and paint their faces or just wear some red, white and blue with some stars in your hair.
- Watch sports or listen to the countdown
Australians are super sporty and good at both playing and watching them. It’s traditional to watch cricket or rugby, but if sport really isn’t your cup of Milo, then another tradition is to listen to the top 100 hits.
Most important of all, pretend it’s summer! Make like these people below and bring sunshine to Stockholm!
There you are! All set to celebrate? Have a very happy Australia day, cobber!
